Jun 23, 2022

Are messages sometimes from scammers?

I received my first message on Google my Business and I thought it was from a legitimate person. It apprears that is not the case. Is anyone else having that problem?

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Brandon Widner

Jul 6, 2022

This is very true. I have my own handyman and remodeling business. I have had several messages from people pretending to be a potential customer. Instead of asking for a estimate. They will agree to me doing the job for a very high price. I intentionally quoted a high rate on purpose. Simply because of the whole conversation seeming very suspicious. On one occasion I decided to oblige them and act clueless to what was going on. This was just an attempt to get a better idea of exactly what kind of scam they were running. They start out telling you that they will give you a deposit by debit or credit card the very next morning for half of the total amount owed. When the next morning comes they all of a sudden want to send the deposit via a cashier's check. They will then tell you to go cash the check that is a higher amount than originally agreed to. They will then tell you to keep a certain amount and send them the remaining money. I'm sure all of this sounds familiar. It's a very popular scam that people run in the mail and so on. It was at this point that I let them know that I was well aware of what was going on. I then gave them quite a few choice words that I won't repeat here. Let's just say that I made them aware of exactly what I would do to them if I could get my hands on them. I informed them that I despise people that scam folks of their hard earned money. It was at this point that he hung the phone up very quickly. They didn't even try to convince me that it wasn't a scam or anything. Don't let this happen to you. I wish there was a way that we could catch people like this. Instead all we can do is pass this information along and make others aware. If something sounds off and if your gut is telling you that the situation seems suspicious. Then listen to your gut. Because 9 times out of 10 it's a scam!

Last edited Jul 6, 2022

Original Poster Susan Greenhalgh 7328 marked this as an answer

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David W Cox

Diamond Product Expert

Jun 23, 2022

Hi, Susan Greenhalgh 7328,

Other listing owners have reported this here in this community. Google does not screen users' communications and scammers are always trying new ways to find companies that will fall prey to their scam. Usually the scammer will ask things that a normal user would not ask.

Thanks For Asking,

David W Cox

If you find this response resolves the question, please mark this post as completed by clicking on “the recommend” button.

Find me at Davidwcox.com

Please be aware that this forum is content from volunteers. Not Google employees. The goal is to learn more and help users get the most out of Google products. Program information

Brandon Widner

Recommended Answer

Jul 6, 2022

Last edited Jul 6, 2022

Original Poster Susan Greenhalgh 7328 marked this as an answer

David W Cox

Diamond Product Expert

Jul 8, 2022

Hi,Brandon Widner,

I have had the exact same situation and went to the local police with the information. The response was they are overseas and there is no way to prosecute them. Education seems to be the only way to prevent it.

Thank you for the information.

Thank You,

David W Cox

User 17931637577027492503

Jul 16, 2022

I am a wedding photographer. Scammers contact me at least monthly. I have one right now that sent a check for services that is fraudulent. The wedding venue he alleges the reception will be at has no wedding on the date given. Address on the check was in lower case, which I thought odd, so I contacted the credit union. Sent them a scan of the check and it is not one of theirs. No I am wasting his time...told him I lost the check an need another.

In the past, I had scammers looking to send me a massive payment because some other wedding vendor does not accept credit cards (right!). I am to keep my fee, and send the rest back to them. Presently though, this guy sent a check for the exact amount owed. I don't understand his end game here. He was very intent on my depositing the check, writing, "You can have it deposited via the ATM or your mobile bank app for ease."

For me, red flags are ESL grammatical errors, excessively formal language, an inquiry w/o a wedding date mentioned, no mention of location.

Be careful out there!

David W Cox

Diamond Product Expert

Jul 17, 2022

Hi User 17931637577027492503

Thanks for the information hopefully more will learn how to avoid these tactics. I have not seen a lot of posts regarding messaging from a listing.

User 14218404977209926450

Aug 9, 2022

I am now having this issue as well. In fact, I've had two scam contact attempts in one week. I'm working with law enforcement to see what we can do. Maybe I'll send a bill to Google for the time I lost working on responding fake customer accounts.

David W Cox

Diamond Product Expert

Aug 10, 2022

Hi, User 14218404977209926450,

When I approached local police they would not even take the information and said they are from countries that can not be pursued. Education of the user is one solution.

Thank You,

David W Cox

User 7231137561274495950

Aug 12, 2022

I had several request , I offer a variety of service one which is a marketing/branding service I received a request for a logo and 8 page brochure from a woman which sounded very legit better than your typical scammer. I actually gave a price for the logo which at no cost but my labor. I submitted 3 logos one she liked which was the one I thought was the best. She agreed to pay my fee. The next day the story started, she wanted to send me a check for an additional 2500 to send a balance to her friend that could receive their payment electronically. So I knew right then. I have a phone number and email and name which is probably fake. I would like to send all the info I have to help find these people. I don't care about any retribution from these theifs, actually I wish they would come to my door. Bret Lafty

User 7231137561274495950

Aug 12, 2022

I offer a handyman service and I had a request to install 5 TVs with echogear full tilt mounts 4 65 inch TVs and one 85 inch TVs I was told there was a Plummer on location that had keys for me. So far all seemed legit. Then I gave a quote for 1800 to 2100 and his response was so 2100. That struck me as odd that he assumed the highest price but still thinking probably legit. Then he wanted to send me an email with a check. He told me to take a picture of the check to do a mobile deposit . Then he told me he was going to add 200 for me if I would give 2500 of the then 3700 check he was going to send. That's when I called him a scamming prick and stick it in your scammin ass . Wasted 20 minutes pricing the mounts. I only hope one day I will bump into one of these theifs, I'll leave it at that. Bret Lafty

Accountable Roofing LLC

Aug 23, 2022

We have been dealing with this identical scam from the moment we set up our business profile. It’s incredibly irritating to think that “you might” have a legitimate customer only to find that your resources are being wasted interacting with a scammer. Now I see that my “chat response time” has been downgraded to 50% and 1 hour? I sincerely hope that this is merely a metrics issue and not something that the scammers could’ve complained about in order to retaliate.

David W Cox

Diamond Product Expert

Aug 27, 2022

Hi Accountable Roofing LLC

My opinion is they are not targetted but mass automated attempts to find a person that goes along with what ever con they are running. The key is to spot the pattern quickly and move on. I know they do target contractors.

David W Cox